Network Rail is advising passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds to check before they travel on 6-7 May and 13-14 May, as it continues to work on major upgrades at Morley station in West Yorkshire.

Over the two weekends, engineers working on Transpennine Route Upgrade will be renewing drainage around the station, completing signalling testing and installing a new footbridge at Lady Anne level crossing. This follows on from work carried out in February and prepares for the next stage of Morley station upgrades, scheduled to take place from 17-25 June.

Transpennine Express and Northern will keep passengers moving with a mixture of diversionary routes and rail replacement buses. Some trains will be diverted via Wakefield while some services between Huddersfield / Brighouse and Leeds via Dewsbury will be replaced by buses.

Passengers can check their journey before setting off via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade involves the delivery of a fully electrified railway between Manchester and York, with improvements to stations along the route and upgrades to a number of bridges and level crossings.

Detailed travel information:

On Saturdays and Sundays on both weekends:

• TransPennine Express services will be diverted between Huddersfield and Leeds via Wakefield. Journeys will take up to 15 minutes longer.
• For passengers travelling to and  from Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Morley and Cottingley, replacement bus services will run between Huddersfield and Leeds.

Additionally, on Saturday 6 and 13 May

• Northern services between Manchester Victoria/Wigan and Leeds via Brighouse and Dewsbury will be diverted between Sowerby Bridge and Leeds via Halifax and Bradford Interchange. They will not call at Brighouse, Mirfield, Dewsbury, Batley or Morley.
• Buses will replace trains between Halifax and Leeds, calling at Brighouse, Mirfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley.

Natalie Hewitt, Senior Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “We want to remind passengers that our engineers will be undertaking some important preparation work at Morley station and in Batley over two weekends in May.

“We know how crucial it is to keep people moving, so we have worked closely with our colleagues at Northern and Transpennine Express. In instances where trains are unable to run via diversionary routes, buses will keep passengers on the move.

“We’re really grateful for the patience and understanding of our passengers while this work takes place, and we look forward to opening the new station later this year.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “As major upgrade work to transform Morley station takes place, including improved accessibility at the station, which will provide huge benefits for customers travelling between York and Manchester, there will be some service alterations for TransPennine Express services.

“Customers are advised to check carefully for the latest service alterations before they travel on our website  www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times; updates will also be available on our social media channels.”